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Swift_s's avatar
Swift_s
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015

5th wheel won't move

I have a real crazy problem. After I hookup my 5th wheel to my truck and remove all wheel chocks. I make sure no brakes are still active. When I put the truck in gear I cannot move. It acts as if the 5th wheel brakes are locked. We jacked up both sides of the camper to see if the wheels were locked. They spun freely. The truck's rear wheels were spinning in the gravel trying to go forward. Does anybody have any suggestions or ideas on what is wrong? I do not know what I am forgetting to do. Any help would be appreciated.
  • DaveF-250SD's avatar
    DaveF-250SD
    Explorer
    Apr 04, 2015
    If this was the first instead of the fourth of the month, I would say to check and make sure nobody chained the trailer to a large tree. :) If the landing gear is up and the wheels spin freely, it should move.
  • ggardne2's avatar
    ggardne2
    Explorer
    Apr 04, 2015
    Is your breakaway switch functioning correctly and is your truck wiring harness not shorted? If the wheels spin freely on the ground but will not turn when you hook your truck up the only two things I can think of is the pin in your breakaway switch is out and it is causing the brakes to engage as soon as you plug the trailer harness into the truck, or there is a short in the harness that is feeding current to the brakes.
  • We_Cant_Wait's avatar
    We_Cant_Wait
    Explorer
    Apr 05, 2015
    Could be a mix up on the wiring for the lights and the taillights are wired to the brakes. Or not to sound stupid but, are ALL the leveling jacks fully retracted??
  • Swift_s's avatar
    Swift_s
    Explorer
    Apr 05, 2015
    I do not have the RV connection connected to truck. The landing gear is up and off of the ground. The breakaway switch is not connected either. I am just trying to maneuver the camper in the lot so I have not connected any of the wiring to the truck.
  • glkids2's avatar
    glkids2
    Explorer
    Apr 05, 2015
    the breakaway is disconnected but is the pin pushed in completely
  • SAR_Tracker's avatar
    SAR_Tracker
    Explorer
    Apr 05, 2015
    Swift's wrote:
    The breakaway switch is not connected either


    But is the pin on the trailer end of the wire cable pushed into the box? If the cable was pulled the pin can come out, actuating the brakes.

    Or, you can disconnect the batteries - that'll release the power to the brakes.
  • davidaf's avatar
    davidaf
    Explorer
    Apr 05, 2015
    Now that's a new one! I'd put boards under everything and try again. Sure sounds like things should move.
  • Grandpere's avatar
    Grandpere
    Explorer
    Apr 05, 2015
    SAR Tracker wrote:
    Swift's wrote:
    The breakaway switch is not connected either


    But is the pin on the trailer end of the wire cable pushed into the box? If the cable was pulled the pin can come out, actuating the brakes.

    Or, you can disconnect the batteries - that'll release the power to the brakes.


    If the disconnect was not all the way in the wheels would not turn freely when raised off the ground.

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